Degrift



(No Model.)

N. W. VANDB-GRPT.

WRENCH.

No. 298,048. r1288811888 188518,11884.I

/ ESSES Attorney n. mens, Mmm wma-m nV c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

NATHANIEL W. VANDEGRIFT, OF BRIDGEPORT., `GONNEC'IIOUT, ASSIGNOR TO FRANK ARMSTRONG, OF SAME'FLAOE.

WRENCH.

ASPIEICIIEICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 298,043, dated May 6, 1884.

Application filed November 5, 1883.

To all whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, NATHANIEL W. VAN- DEGRIFT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bridgeport, county of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, have invented new and useful Improvements in Wrenches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in adjustable wrenches. It has for its object to provideJ wrench simple and economic in construction, and adapted to be readily operated in cramped or close quarters, as well as in open and free spaces, and to be removed and replaced on the work without slacking the adjustment; and with these ends in view my invention consists in thepeculiar construction and arrangement ofparts,hereinafter fully described and specically claimed.

In order that those skilled inthe art to which my invention appertains may know how to make and use the same, I will proceed to vdescribe its construction and operation,referring by letters to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side view of a wrench embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a back View of kthe same, and Fig. 3 is a rear end view. Similar letters indicate like parts in the sev- -in order that a handle, B, (preferably pipe,)

may be secured at one end, and to admit of the passage of the adjusting-screw C of thesliding jaw D. Said frame is also provided with a transverse opening to receive the milled nut E,employed to operate the sliding jaw. The jaw F is secured pivotally between the cheeks or bearings a of the frame A by a bolt or pivot, b, and a spring. o, is interposed between the under side of the rear end or taiLG, of the jaw F and the upper -surface of the frame, said spring operating to depress the front end of the jawand hold it to its work. The sliding jaw D is secured by bolts or rivets d to a sliding yoke, H, which embraces the tail G of the jaw F, the height of the opening through said yoke being slightly in excess of the thickness of said tail, as indicated by par- 5o allel dotted lines, Fig. l, and as clearly shown (No model.)

at e, Fig. 3. The working-faces of the jaws D.

, F, I have shown serrated, such conguration being most effective when used as a pipewrench; vbut it will be understood that they may be of any other suitable configuration, according to the work they may be designed for.

It will be observed thatby reason of the pivotal connection between the tail of the jaw F and the frame Athe former is capable of a vibratory movement equal to the extent of the space e between the yoke and the tail.

In using my improved wrench the jaws are placed loosely over the work, and the sliding jaw D is advanced by'turning the nut E, the screw C being guided longitudinally by reason of the screw-stud I, projectingwithin a longitudinal grooveiu the lower side of said adjusting-screw C. The advancement of the jaw D is continued `until the long lever-jaw F rises `from its normal seat, as shown at Fig. 1, up into the space e, and against the under side of the yoke H,which limits the movement in such upward direction. During the upward movement of the jaw F, the spring c is compressed, so that its reactionary force is exerted to hold the jaw to its work, so that when power is applied to the handle B the forward end of the jaw F is drawn down and the work between the two jaws is tightly cramped until the jaw F, in its downward movement, reaches the lower seat, e', in the yoke H, which prevents any'further cramping, and thus prevents the crushing of the work confined.

It will be seen that the grip of the jaws will be in proportion to the power applied to the handle; or,in other words, the work is clamped tightly between the jaws; and it will be seen that the raising of the handle B releases the grip of the jaws, and hence it is obvious that when the wrench is used in places where the operatoris circumscribed in room, the handle may be raised and lowered like the handle of a pump or ratched drill, and the work will be accordingly released and regripped without slacking-or'altering the adjusting-screw C.

What I claim as new, and'desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The frame A, provided with the handle B, screw G, and adjusting-nut E, and having the cheeks or bearings a, in combination with :L sliding jaw, D, secured to a movable yoke, jaw F, in a manner described, with a space, c,

H, and a rocking or lever jaw, F, having its to permit vibratory movement of said jaw and tail G connected pivotally to the cheeks a of protect the work from :i crushing strain, subthe frame, whereby,when the jaws are placed stantially as hereinbefore set forth. r 5 5 against the work, grip or releasement may be In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my effected by the downward or upward movehand in the presence of two subscribing wit- 'me11t, respectively,of the handle, as and for the nesses.

purposes hereinbefore set forth. NATHANIEL XV. VANDEGRIFI.

2. In combina-tion with the pivoted jaw F, Witnesses: m sliding jaw D, frame A, and screw C, the yoke J. CHARLES GORMLEY,

H, secured to the jaw D, and embracing the ALFRED B. BEERS. 

